Apparatus for brewing coffee

ABSTRACT

An improved electric percolator including an electric timing arrangement for setting the percolator so that the brewing operation will commence at a selectable future time and said timing arrangement being compactly disposed within the percolator base. The particular stage of the percolator operating cycle can readily be determined by various visual indicating means that are incorporated in this appliance. Moreover, the percolator is provided with an integral plastic lens which supports a signal light and locks itself to the percolator base in a manner to cover an aperture therein.

United States Patent (72] Inventor FlreesUddin Khajtt ChlmgoJll.

[2|] AppLNo. 797,924

22 Filed Feb. 10,1969

[4S] Patented June 22, I971 [73] Assignee Sunbeam Corporation Chicago,Ill.

[54] APPARATUS FOR BREWING COFFEE 18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 99/280, 99/285, 99/3 l2 [51] Int. Cl A47j 31/053 [50] Fieldof Search 99/280,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,995,08l 3/1935 Sommers99/281 2,855,476 10/1958 Garrard 99/283 3,430,232 2/1969 Martin 99/285Primary ExaminerRobert W. Jenkins Attorney-George R. Clark PATENTEDJUN22 1971 saw 1 or 3 APPARATUS FOR BREWING COFFEE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to coffee makers and, moreparticularly, to an improved electric percolator having timing means forstarting and completing the brewing operation at a selectable futuretime.

The prior art reveals coffee making devices which include timing meansso that the user can charge the coffee maker with coffee grounds andwater in the correct ratio and set the timing means to begin or evencomplete the brewing operation at a selectable future time. It wasappreciated that there is a need for this type of device which willpermit freshly brewed coffee to be ready when the user arises in themorning. Furthermore, it is advantageous to have freshly brewed hotcoffee ready upon the return to the home after attending an outdooractivity in brisk weather, since coffee cannot be stored or brewed along period prior to drinking due to its characteristic of losing itsdesirable flavor rapidly after being brewed. However, prior art devicesare in general bulky in construction and expensive to manufacture.Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to have a coffee maker with apreset timing function which is compact and inexpensively constructedand which is simple to set for completing the brewing operation at agiven future time. It is well known that timers which are commonly usedwith ovens are highly complicated to set because of their dependencyupon correlating the timing mechanism with a clock which also indicatesthe correct time. Thus, a coffee maker having an internal timing featureshould be simple to set and require a minimum of instructions for itsuse.

Since this type of coffee maker will be set to commence the brewingoperation at a future time, some means should be available to indicateto the user the present state of the percolator operating cycle. By thismeans the user can quickly be informed if the percolator is properlyconnected to the electrical power source, if the timing means isoperating, if the brewing operation is underway or if the brewingoperation is completed. Naturally, such means should be inexpensive andbe readily discernible by the user even if the user is positioned aconsiderable distance from the coffee maker.

In some instances, it is necessary to use a signal light in connectionwith the operation of an electrical appliance. Normally, the light issupported within the appliance base contiguous to an exterior wallhaving an aperture through which the signal illumination can pass, and alens is located in this aperture. It would be advantageous to have asimple, inexpensive lens which firmly locks itself to the exterior wallof the appliance and effectively supports the signal light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an electricpercolator having an electric heater for brewing coffee and timing meansfor controlling the operation of the heater, both of which are enclosedby a base. Attached to the base is a control member which is accessiblefrom outside of the base for setting the desired time period before thecompletion of the brewing operation, and the timing means is inconnection with said control member. Positioned within the base is anelectrical control switch which is in electrical connection with saidheater and disposed for actuation by said timing means so that theheater can be energized at a selected time. Signal lights are includedin circuit means to give a visual indication when the percolator isconnected to an electrical energy source and to indicate the completionof the brewing operation. Additionally, the percolator has a cover witha transparent portion whereby the user can see if the brewing operationis underway due to the brewing pulsations which are visible through thetransparent portionr Holding the signal lights in proper position areintegral lenses which have a portion to transmit illumination andanother portion for holding themselves to the percolator base.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved electric percolator having means to start the brewing operationat a future selectable time and said percolator being compact andinexpensively manufactured.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedelectric percolator having visual indicating means to disclose theparticular stage at which the percolator is in its cycle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anelectrical appliance having a simple signal light lens which locksitself to the appliance wall and supports a signal light.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a percolatorwith a time control means which is simply set and easily understood.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of thepresent invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. I is a front elevational view with a portion thereof cut away toreveal the internal construction of an electric percolator embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line2-2 of FIG. 1 assuming that FIG. 1 illustrates the complete percolator;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2with the lead wires broken away for clarity of illustration and assumingthat FIG. 2 discloses a complete apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2with the base removed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electric circuitfor the percolator; and

FIG. 6 depicts the interlocking of the signal light lens and thepercolator base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing,there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an electric percolator generallyindicated by reference numeral 20 comprising a somewhat conically-shapedsheet metal casing or vessel 22 having a horizontally disposed wall 23spaced above the bottom thereof to which is secured a die cast pump well24 with an embedded electric resistance heater 25. In order to pourcoffee from the vessel 22 it is provided with a pouring spout 28 whichis angled upwardly. To facilitate the transportation of the percolatorand pouring of coffee through the spout 28, C-shaped plastic handle 30is attached to the vessel 22. Mounted within the vessel 22 is avertically extending fountain or delivery tube 32 at the upper end ofwhich is supported a basket 34 for receiving and retaining coffeegrounds. The bottom end of the tube 32 rests on and is in fluidcommunication with the pump well 24. As thus far described, thepercolator is of standard construction and its operation is wellunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Enclosing the top of the vessel 22 is a cover 36 having a transparentknob 37 which is sometimes referred to as a bubbler. The centrallydisposed transparent knob 37 is rigidly attached to the cover 36 bymeans of a suitable locking nut 38. Preferably, the knob 37 is molded ofplastic material which is transparent after it has been molded and isformed with an upwardly extending dome portion39. As is readilyunderstood, coffee is brewed in the percolator 20 by adding water to thevessel 22 and adding the appropriate quantity of coffee grounds to thebasket 34. Upon the supplying of electrical power to the heater 25 thewater which enters into the pump well 24 is forced upwardly through thedelivery tube 32 with sufficient velocity so that it impacts against theknob dome portion 39 before falling onto the coffee grounds in basket34.

After the water has seeped through the coffee grounds it flows through aplurality of suitable-openings in the basket 34. The origin of thedescriptive term bubbler which is sometimes used in connection with theknob 37 is readily apparent because the pulsating gushing of water intothe knob dome portion 39 produces an outwardly visible bubbling effect.It should be appreciated that the same bubbling effect can be obtainedif the knob 37 is made from a translucent rather than a transparentmaterial.

Disposed below and attached to the vessel 22 is a cupshaped plastic base42 having a relatively flat bottom wall 43 and a peripheral annularsidewall 44 including an upright projection 45 defining a centralhorizontally extending opening 46. A drain opening 47 is defined in thebottom wall 43 for permitting liquid which might enter the base 42 toflow out thereof through this opening. As can be conveniently seen inFIG. 2, an L-shaped heat conducting bracket 48 is attached, such as bywelding, to the underside of vessel bottom wall 23, and attached to thisbracket is an electric thermostatic switch 50 having a temperatureadjusting shaft 51 extending horizontally toward and in alignment withbase projection opening 46. The construction and operation of thethermostatic switch 50 are conventional in the percolator art, and,consequently, a detailed description thereof is not required. Suffice itto say, the thermostatic switch senses the temperature of the vesselbottom wall 23 which is approximately the same temperature as the coffeecontained within the vessel so that when the coffee reaches a giventemperature which temperature can be set by the angular displacement ofshaft 51, the thermostatic switch will open. In order to permit the userto readily set the thermostatic switch shaft 51, a temperature controlknob 54 which is commonly referred to as a strength control is rotatablysupported by the base 42 in the upright projection opening 46 and is indriving engagement with said shaft. Therefore, the angular displacementof the knob 54 controls the coffee temperature at which the switch 50opens. Since the switch S is in electrical connection with the heater25, the opening of the switch terminates the pumping action of well 24,which in turn terminates the brewing operation.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, a barrier or heat shield 55 extendshorizontally below the pump well 24 containing the electric heater 25and below an auxiliary heater 56 which is contiguous to the vesselbottom wall 23. The shield 55 is held in position by a screw 56 whichlocks the shield to the bottom of the heat pump well 24. The primarypurpose of the shield 55 is to reduce the transmission of heat from theheaters to those components which are disposed below the shield.Additionally, the shield 55 is formed with a key-shaped opening 59through which passes a plurality of electrical lead wires therebypreventing the wires from interfering with any component of the subjectpercolator.

Turning our attention to the plastic base 42, it may be seen in FIG. 2that the base is molded with upwardly extending mounting wells 62 whichare in alignment with threaded studs 63 depending from the bottom ofvessel wall 23 whereby screws 64 which pass between the base wells 63and studs 63 rigidly lock the base 42 to the vessel 22. The base 42 ismolded with a horizontally extending slot 66 in sidewall 44 and aplurality of projections 68 extending upwardly from base bottom wall 43to which is attached an electrically operated timing movement 70 so thatsaid movement is spaced above the base bottom wall 43. The detailedconstruction of the timing movement 70 is not pertinent to the presentinvention but preferably the movement is the same as the compact clockmovement disclosed in .lepson et al. Pat. No. 3,248,867 which isassigned to the same assignee as is the present application. Extendingupwardly from the timing movement 70 is a vertical drive shaft 72 whichrotates at a constant speed of one revolution per 12 hours when themovement is energized. Secured to the timing movement drive shaft 72 isa horizontally disposed intermediate member 74. The member 72 has aperipheral portion 76 which lies on a given radius from the drive shaft72 and is interrupted by a single inwardly directed cam notched portion77. Located above the peripheral portion 76 there is formed an integralgear portion 78 having a plurality of gear teeth 79. A wheel-shaped timesetting control member 82, preferably formed of an electricallynonconducting plastic, is rotatably mounted to an upwardly extendingpost 83 which is integrally formed with the base 42. Positioning andholding the member 82 to the post 83 is a suitable shoulder-type screw84 which permits the member to freely rotate. As can be best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the time setting control member 82 has a serratedperiphery 86 and a bottom gear portion 87 having a plurality of gearteeth 88 which are in driven relationship with the intermediate gearteeth 79. Inasmuch as the same number of teeth are formed on the member82 as on the member 74 both members rotate at the same speed. The member82 is located with respect to the base slot 66 so that a portion thereofprotrudes through the slot to a position exterior of the base. imprintedon the member 82 near its periphery 86 is indicia 90 including the wordset," numbers from zero to 11 and two dots with a vertical linepositioned therebetween disposed between each number except for betweenzero and one where there are only two dots. When the control member 82is rotated due to the energization of timing movement 70 it takesapproximately 15 minutes to rotate the member through an angle equal tothe distance between any adjacent dot, line or number.

According to the present invention a single-pole doublethrow electriccontact switch is mounted by means of two screws 96 to a pair of bosses97 which are integrally formed with and extend upwardly from the basebottom wall 43. Once locked in position, the switch 95 is spacedupwardly from the bottom wall 43 and is adjacent to the timing movement70. As shown in FIG. 3 the switch 95 has a pivotal lever 98 at theremote end of which is a curved contact portion 99 disposed to engagewith either the intermediate peripheral portion 76 or cam notchedportion 77. The pivotal movement of lever 98 actuates through plunger100 the switch 95 so that when the lever contact portion 99 is inengagement with the intermediate peripheral portion 76 the switchpermits electrical power to reach the movement 70 and when the leverpivots outwardly so that the lever contact portion falls intointermediate cam notched portion 77 the switch is open with respect tothe movement, as will be explained hereinafter. Thus, it should beappreciated that the rotation of the time setting control member 82 willcorrespondingly angularly relate the intermediate cam notched portion 77with respect to the switch lever contact portion 99. Furthermore, therotation of the intermediate member 74 by the timing movement 70 canbring notched portion 77 into engagement with the lever contact portion99.

For the purpose of providing a visual indicating means to reveal thestage at which the percolator is operating, the base 42 is provided witha coffee light 102 disposed laterally of the control member 82 and atimer light 104 positioned on the opposite side of said member. Tofacilitate the controlling of the subject percolator the controls arelocated in close proximity to each other with the temperature controlknob 54 being located immediately above the time setting control member82 and the lights 102 and 104 positioned on opposite sides of the member82. Both lights 102 and 104 are attached to the base 42 in the samemanner, and, therefore, a description of how one is attached shouldsuffice. Referring to FIG. 6 it may be seen that the base sidewall 44defines a squareshaped opening 106 having side outwardly facing chamfers107. A lens 108 which is preferably molded from a plastic which istranslucent has a window portion 109 which is adapted to overlie theopening 106 and an inwardly extending light receiving portion 110including angular section 111 which are complementary to and disposed toengage with chamfers 107, inwardly extending spaced arms 112 and 113having laterally extending protuberances 114 and 115, respectively,which, due to the resiliency of arms 112 and 113, snap behind the insidesurface of base sidewall 44 contiguous to opening 106, and a hook orC-shaped clamping portion 118 extending from arm 112, which portion isshaped to engage and bias the light toward arms 112 and 113 wherebythere will be a frictional clamping engagement between the light 102 andportion 118, as well as arms 112 and 113. lt may be easily seen that thesimple lens 108 can easily lock itself to the base wall 44 with the snapaction engagement of the protuberances 114 and 115 behind the insidewall surface after the lens light receiving portion 110 has beeninserted through wall opening 106, and additionally, the lens clampingportion 118 can firmly hold the signal light 102 in its proper positionin front of the lens window portion 109 whereby the lens can be readilyilluminated by the light. ln order for the illumination from light 102to pass only through its respective lens 108 and not through lens 120,which supports the timer light 104, the base 42 is molded with anintegral vertical partition wall 122 which is between the light 102 andcontrol member 82, and, similarly, the base is also molded with anintegral partition wall 123 which is adjacent to and limits theillumination from light 104 as can be readily seen in FIG. 3.

To assist in providing electrical power to the percolator 20, the base42 as seen in FIG. 3 is formed with a somewhat C- shaped wall 125 whichsupports and spaces two outwardly extending terminal pins or conductors127 and 128. These terminal pins are of standard construction and areadapted to receive a standard plug which is attached to a cord sethaving a plug on the other end which is connectable to an electricalpower source such as an electrical receptacle normally found within thehome. Such a cord set is well known and not shown in the drawing.

in view of the hereinbefore description, the operation of the presentpercolator may be readily understood in reference to the schematicwiring diagram shown in FIG. 5. To use the preset feature, thepercolator 20 is charged by placing water in the vessel 22 and anappropriate amount of coffee grounds in basket 34. Naturally, the cover36 is positioned on the vessel 22 as depicted in FIG. 1. The user thenselects the time at which the brewed coffee is desired and rotates thetime setting control member 82 until the indicia 90 is angularlyoriented to correspond with the desired time lapse. Since there are onlythree minute intervals between one and zero, the setting selectedcompensates for the brewing time, which is approximately 15 minutes.After making this simple adjustment the user merely needs toelectrically connect the terminal pins 127 and 128 to an electricaloutlet by means of a standard cord set. Referring to the schematicalwiring diagram, it should be noted that the switch 95 is depicted in itsstate wherein the lever contact portion 99 is in engagement with theintermediate member cam notch portion 77 whereas the switch will be inits other condition with the portion 99 engaging the peripheral portion76 as is the case when using the preset feature. Thus, once power isinitially supplied to the terminals, the switch 95 is arranged so thatthe electrical current passes from terminal pin 127 through lead 129,timer motor 70, lead 130, switch 95, lead 131, thennostatic switch 50,lead 132 and finally to terminal pin 128. lnasmuch as the timer light104 is wired in parallel with the timing movement 70, it will beilluminated as soon as the timing movement 70 is energized. With thisarrangement, the user can note by the timer light lens 120 beingilluminated that power is being supplied to the percolator and that thetiming movement is operating.

As previously discussed, once electrical energy is supplied to thetiming movement 70, its drive shaft 72 rotates at a speed ofapproximately 1 revolution per 12 hours. Accordingly, the intermediatemember 74 rotates, which drives and rotates the time setting controlmember 82. The timing movement 70 continues to operate until the desiredtime has elapsed and the intermediate cam notch latch portion 77 is inalignment with the switch lever contact portion 99 causing the lever 98to move outwardly so that the switch will be actuated to the positionshown in the schematic drawing. The actuation of switch 95 opens thecircuit with respect to the timing movement 70 stopping the rotation ofthe intermediate member, and also the signal light 104 is turned off. Asmay be seen in the schematic electric diagram, the active portion of thecircuit now comprises terminal pin 127, lead 133, heater 25, lead 134,switch 95, lead 131, thermostat 50, lead 132 and finally terminal pin128. In this condition the brewing operation is commenced by theenergization of the pump well heater 25. The brewing and pumpingoperation continues until the coffee reaches a selected elevatedtemperature as determined by the angular disposition of the temperaturecontrol knob 54. Once the desired coffee temperature has been reached,the thermostat switch 50 opens so that the current now flows through theauxiliary heater 57 instead of the thermostatic switch 50. The user canvisually determine that the brewing operation is underway due to theheated water and coffee gushing into the transparent knob dome portion39. lnasmuch as the auxiliary heater has a far greater resistance thanthe main heater 25, the heat produced by the main heater 25 after beingplaced in series with the auxiliary heater 57 is very small and cannoteffectively cause the pumping action forcing heated water and coffee upthe delivery tube 32. The primary purpose of the auxiliary heater 57 isto maintain the coffee at a desirable elevated drinking temperature.Since the coffee light 102 is electrically connected in parallel withrespect to the auxiliary heater, this light is turned on as soon as thethermostatic switch is open.

With this mode of operation, the user has a visual indication that thecoffee making operation is completed and the coffee is ready forserving. Therefore, the user can readily determine by simply glancing atthe percolator, the particular stage of the percolator operating cycle.That is to say, the user can quickly determine if the timer motor isoperating or the brewing operation is underway or the coffee is readyfor serving.

Since there are occasions when the presetting feature is not needed, thepresent percolator can be used without the timing mechanism by simplyleaving the timing setting control member 82 so that the indicia isoriented with the zero facing forwardly which locates the intermediatecam notch portion 77 in alignment with the switch lever contact portion99. When arranged thusly, the percolator operates in a normal mannerwherein the connection of electrical power to the terminal pins 127 and128 immediately activates the pump heater 25 assuming that thethermostatic switch 50 is in its closed position, which naturally is thenormal state of the switch at the beginning of a brewing operation.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the presentpercolator is constructed to be used as a normal percolator or to usethe preset timing feature which is controlled by a single control member82. Moreover, the internal components disposed within the base arearranged and oriented in a compact manner to consume a minimum of spaceand at the same time the electrical components are spaced above the basebottom wall so in the event of liquid entering the base, the electricalcomponents will not be positioned in the liquid and the liquid can leavethe base through opening 47. Furthermore, the base 42 lends itself toinexpensive manufacturing techniques wherein the timing movement 70,switch 95, intermediate member 74, and control member 82 can be attachedto the base as a subassembly prior to being connected to the vessel 22.Therefore, the present percolator, while being very versatile, is stillcompact and inexpensively manufactured.

While there has been illustrated and described one embodiment of thepresent invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications thereof may be made, and it isintended in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is considered new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. An electric percolator for brewing coffee having a vessel at thebottom of which is an electric heater pump for heating and lifting waterfrom the bottom of the vessel to a coffee ground basket disposed withinthe vessel near the top thereof, thermostat means positioned below thevessel and adapted for sensing the temperature of the liquid held withinthe vessel and for terminating the coffee brewing operation by stoppingthe pumping of water into the basket wherein the improvement comprises abase enclosing the bottom of said vessel and secured thereto, timingmeans positioned within said base and attached thereto, manually settingcontrol member rotatably mounted to said base with at least a portionthereof accessible from the outside of said base, said timing meansadapted to rotate said member at a uniform speed, switch means mountedwithin said base and in electrical connection with said electric heaterpump for starting the brewing operation by closing the circuit to saidelectric heater pump, said switch means adapted to be actuated after thelapse of a determinable time which is set by the angular disposition ofsaid member.

2. The electric percolator of claim 1 wherein said switch means is inelectrical connection with said timing means which is electricallyoperated, the actuation of said switch means opens the circuit withrespect to said timing means thereby stopping the rotation of saidcontrol member.

3. The electric pcrcolator of claim 11 wherein said base is molded fromplastic material and has a cup-shaped configuration with a bottom wall,said base molded with a plurality of posts extending upwardly from saidbottom wall, said timing means control member and switch means beingattached to said posts.

4. in an electric percolator having a vessel at the bottom of which isan electric heater for brewing coffee, a thermostatic switch forcontrolling the coffee temperature at which the coffee brewing operationis terminated, and a base secured to the bottom of said vessel withelectric connector means attached thereto wherein the improvementcomprises a control member attached to said base and being accessiblefrom outside of said base for setting the desired length of time beforethe start of brewing operation, electric timer means connected to saidcontrol member for timing the duration of time before the start of thebrewing operation, an electrical control switch positioned within saidbase in electrical connection with said heater and disposed foractuation due to the operation of said timer means, circuit meansconnecting a first signal light in said base, a second signal light insaid base, said heater, said thermostatic switch, said connector means,said timer means and said control switch and arranged so that said firstsignal light is turned on when said connector means is connected to anelectrical energy source and is turned off when said control switch isactuated, said second signal light arranged so that it is turned on whensaid thermostatic switch is opened at the end of the brewing operation.

5. in the percolator of claim 4 wherein said signal lights are held bysaid base so that one is on each side of said control member.

6. In the percolator of claim 4 including a knob connected to saidthermostatic switch for varying the temperature setting thereof, saidknob rotatably supported by said base above said control member.

7. in the percolator of claim 4 wherein said circuit means provides thatelectrical power is interrupted to said timer means when said switch isactuated.

8. in the percolator of claim 4 including a cover having a transparentportion positioned on top of said vessel, said cover portion disposed sothat the pulsating action of the coffee brewing is readily visiblewhereby said first light can indicate when said percolator is initiallyconnected to an electric power source, said cover portion indicates thebrewing operation and said second light indicates the completion of thebrewing operation.

9. In an electric percolator having an electric main heater for brewingcoffee, an electric thermostatic switch for terminating the completionof the brewing operation, circuit means including said main heater, saidswitch and a connector means, wherein the improvement comprises a firstsignal light in said circuit means which can visually indicate when saidconnector means is connected to an electric power source, electrictiming means for starting the brewing operation at a selectable timeafter said connector means is connected to a ower source, sa id firstsignal means bein connected in paralel with said timing means, secondslgna light in said circuit means which is turned on when saidthermostatic switch is opened to visually indicate the completion of thebrewing operation, and an auxiliary heater for keeping the brewed coffeewarm after the completion of the brewing operation, said second signallight being connected in parallel with said auxiliary heater.

10. In the electric percolator of claim 9 wherein with the normaloperation of said percolator said first signal light is turned offbefore said second signal light is turned on.

11. An electric percolator for brewing coffee comprising heater meanssecured to a vessel, a cup-shaped base enclosing said heater means andattached to said vessel near its bottom, said base defining ahorizontally extending opening through which extends a member which isrotatably mounted to a post integrally formed with said base, timingmeans secured to said base and in driving relationship with said memberfor rotating same at a constant speed, switch means attached to at leastone boss integrally formed with said base and in electrical connectionwith said heater means, said member being angularly settable so that therotation thereof by said timing means can actuate said switch after thelapse of a selectable time.

12. The electric percolator of claim 11 wherein said member is disposedbelow said heater means, said timing means positioned below said memberand said switch means located above said timing means.

13. In an electric percolator having an electric heater for brewingcoffee and a base enclosing said heater comprising timer means disposedin said base, a control member for setting the length of time beforesaid heater is energized projecting through the periphery of said base,an intermediate member drivingly connecting said control member to saidtimer means so that said timer means can move said members, a switch inelectrical connection with said heater for initiating the brewingoperation disposed in said base so that it can be actuated by one ofsaid members after the lapse of a selectable time governed by thesetting of said control member.

14. in the electric percolator of claim 13 wherein said control memberhas a circular configuration and indicia near the periphery thereofsignifying time periods to facilitate the setting of said member.

15. in the electric percolator of claim 14 wherein said control memberis molded from plastic material and has integral gear teeth, saidintermediate member formed with complementary gear teeth for drivinglyengaging said control member teeth whereby the rotation of one memberrotates the other member.

16. In the electric percolator of claim 15 wherein said intermediatemember is formed with cam means for cooperating with said switch wherebythe rotation of said intermediate member can actuate said switch.

17. In an electric percolator for brewing coffee comprising a vesselhaving an electric heater attached to its bottom, a base secured to andenclosing the bottom of said vessel, said base defining a horizontallyextending opening through which projects a control wheel which isrotatably mounted to said base, timing means secured to said base andhaving a drive shaft, cam means attached to said shaft and in drivingengagement with said control wheel so that said timing means can rotatesaid control wheel at a constant speed, switch means supported by saidbase and disposed for actuation by said cam means, said switch being inelectrical connection with said heater whereby said control wheel can beangularly set so that said switch means can permit said heater toreceive electrical energy after the lapse of a selectable time.

118. In the electric percolator of claim 17 wherein said base has acup-shaped configuration with a bottom wall defining egression means forpermitting liquid which might enter said base to flow out thereofthrough said egression means, said timing means and said switch meansattached to said base so that they are spaced upwardly from said bottomwall.

1. An electric percolator for brewing coffee having a vessel at thebottom of which is an electric heater pump for heating and lifting waterfrom the bottom of the vessel to a coffee ground basket disposed withinthe vessel near the top thereof, thermostat means positioned below thevessel and adapted for sensing the temperature of the liquid held withinthe vessel and for terminating the coffee brewing operation by stoppingthe pumping of water into the basket wherein the improvement comprises abase enclosing the bottom of said vessel and secured thereto, timingmeans positioned within said base and attached thereto, manually settingcontrol member rotatably mounted to said base with at least a portionthereof accessible from the outside of said base, said timing meansadapted to rotate said member at a uniform speed, switch means mountedwithin said base and in electrical connection with said electric heaterpump for starting the brewing operation by closing the circuit to saidelectric heater pump, said switch means adapted to be actuated after thelapse of a determinable time which is set by the angular disposition ofsaid member.
 2. The electric percolator of claim 1 wherein said switchmeans is in electrical connection with said timing means which iselectrically operated, the actuation of said switch means opens thecircuit with respect to said timing means thereby stopping the rotationof said control member.
 3. The electric percolator of claim 1 whereinsaid base is molded from plastic material and has a cup-shapedconfiguration with a bottom wall, said base molded with a plurality ofposts extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said timing meanscontrol member and switch means being attached to said posts.
 4. In anelectric percolator having a vessel at the bottom of which is anelectric heater for brewing coffee, a thermostatic switch forcontrolling the coffee temperaTure at which the coffee brewing operationis terminated, and a base secured to the bottom of said vessel withelectric connector means attached thereto wherein the improvementcomprises a control member attached to said base and being accessiblefrom outside of said base for setting the desired length of time beforethe start of brewing operation, electric timer means connected to saidcontrol member for timing the duration of time before the start of thebrewing operation, an electrical control switch positioned within saidbase in electrical connection with said heater and disposed foractuation due to the operation of said timer means, circuit meansconnecting a first signal light in said base, a second signal light insaid base, said heater, said thermostatic switch, said connector means,said timer means and said control switch and arranged so that said firstsignal light is turned on when said connector means is connected to anelectrical energy source and is turned off when said control switch isactuated, said second signal light arranged so that it is turned on whensaid thermostatic switch is opened at the end of the brewing operation.5. In the percolator of claim 4 wherein said signal lights are held bysaid base so that one is on each side of said control member.
 6. In thepercolator of claim 4 including a knob connected to said thermostaticswitch for varying the temperature setting thereof, said knob rotatablysupported by said base above said control member.
 7. In the percolatorof claim 4 wherein said circuit means provides that electrical power isinterrupted to said timer means when said switch is actuated.
 8. In thepercolator of claim 4 including a cover having a transparent portionpositioned on top of said vessel, said cover portion disposed so thatthe pulsating action of the coffee brewing is readily visible wherebysaid first light can indicate when said percolator is initiallyconnected to an electric power source, said cover portion indicates thebrewing operation and said second light indicates the completion of thebrewing operation.
 9. In an electric percolator having an electric mainheater for brewing coffee, an electric thermostatic switch forterminating the completion of the brewing operation, circuit meansincluding said main heater, said switch and a connector means, whereinthe improvement comprises a first signal light in said circuit meanswhich can visually indicate when said connector means is connected to anelectric power source, electric timing means for starting the brewingoperation at a selectable time after said connector means is connectedto a power source, said first signal means being connected in parallelwith said timing means, second signal light in said circuit means whichis turned on when said thermostatic switch is opened to visuallyindicate the completion of the brewing operation, and an auxiliaryheater for keeping the brewed coffee warm after the completion of thebrewing operation, said second signal light being connected in parallelwith said auxiliary heater.
 10. In the electric percolator of claim 9wherein with the normal operation of said percolator said first signallight is turned off before said second signal light is turned on.
 11. Anelectric percolator for brewing coffee comprising heater means securedto a vessel, a cup-shaped base enclosing said heater means and attachedto said vessel near its bottom, said base defining a horizontallyextending opening through which extends a member which is rotatablymounted to a post integrally formed with said base, timing means securedto said base and in driving relationship with said member for rotatingsame at a constant speed, switch means attached to at least one bossintegrally formed with said base and in electrical connection with saidheater means, said member being angularly settable so that the rotationthereof by said timing means can actuate said switch after the lapse ofa selectable time.
 12. The electric Percolator of claim 11 wherein saidmember is disposed below said heater means, said timing means positionedbelow said member and said switch means located above said timing means.13. In an electric percolator having an electric heater for brewingcoffee and a base enclosing said heater comprising timer means disposedin said base, a control member for setting the length of time beforesaid heater is energized projecting through the periphery of said base,an intermediate member drivingly connecting said control member to saidtimer means so that said timer means can move said members, a switch inelectrical connection with said heater for initiating the brewingoperation disposed in said base so that it can be actuated by one ofsaid members after the lapse of a selectable time governed by thesetting of said control member.
 14. In the electric percolator of claim13 wherein said control member has a circular configuration and indicianear the periphery thereof signifying time periods to facilitate thesetting of said member.
 15. In the electric percolator of claim 14wherein said control member is molded from plastic material and hasintegral gear teeth, said intermediate member formed with complementarygear teeth for drivingly engaging said control member teeth whereby therotation of one member rotates the other member.
 16. In the electricpercolator of claim 15 wherein said intermediate member is formed withcam means for cooperating with said switch whereby the rotation of saidintermediate member can actuate said switch.
 17. In an electricpercolator for brewing coffee comprising a vessel having an electricheater attached to its bottom, a base secured to and enclosing thebottom of said vessel, said base defining a horizontally extendingopening through which projects a control wheel which is rotatablymounted to said base, timing means secured to said base and having adrive shaft, cam means attached to said shaft and in driving engagementwith said control wheel so that said timing means can rotate saidcontrol wheel at a constant speed, switch means supported by said baseand disposed for actuation by said cam means, said switch being inelectrical connection with said heater whereby said control wheel can beangularly set so that said switch means can permit said heater toreceive electrical energy after the lapse of a selectable time.
 18. Inthe electric percolator of claim 17 wherein said base has a cup-shapedconfiguration with a bottom wall defining egression means for permittingliquid which might enter said base to flow out thereof through saidegression means, said timing means and said switch means attached tosaid base so that they are spaced upwardly from said bottom wall.